Artistic Programme

Our Artistic Programme

Cultural, active and community events in healthy river environments. Accessible by all, enjoyed by all.

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Reflections Sing for Water Thames Lens Tide Changers Totally Thames Other artistic projects...

Education Programme

Our Education Programme

Inspiring the next generation of river ambassadors. Our creative education programme helps children and young people to connect and learn about rivers, creating work inspired by its culture, community and ecology.

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Kids' Choir River of Hope Rivers of the World The Story of Water Other education projects...

Heritage Programme

Our Heritage Programme

Unearthing and reconnecting local communities to the river's rich history and cultural importance.

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A Voyage Through Time Foragers of the Foreshore London's Lost Village Places of Change The Islanders Other heritage projects...

About Our Charity

What makes us tick and the people who make it happen.

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Our History Our Team Our Vision Join our Team

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Brentford

E.C. Jones & MSO Marine

The earliest records of boat building in Brentford date back to 1659, with Brentford sitting on the important junction of the Thames and the River Brent, and the canal systems to and from London. In 1890, Edward Charles Jones set up his business at Staffordshire Wharf in Brentford transferring cargo up the Thames, referred to as lighterage.

By 1915, E.C. Jones had moved location to Brentside Wharf. The land at this site was originally a tidal mudflat, and was ideal for berthing barges for repair. While originally building in wood, in 1923 the company built the first steel barge on the River Thames, named Success. Known for their innovations, they became famous for designing and building the Bantam tug boats at Brentford in the 1940s and 50s. Edward Charles Jones retired in 1979 but the company continued under the new ownership of Edward Harris. Despite building a 300 tonne hopper barge in the mid-1980s, the largest on the river at that time, the business went into decline, and closed in 1992.

Between 1994 and 1996 the E.C. Jones site was revived when MSO Marine moved to Brentford. MSO was originally formed as partnership between Jake Oliver and Mark Montgomery Smith, but later Oliver continued the business. They provide a range of services including boat building, repairs and maintenance, and also civil engineering on the Thames. The yard is one of the few on the still regularly building houseboats, and is protected as a boatyard from re-development by the Canal and Rivers Trust.

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Boatyard

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Barges being transported

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Boatyard

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Barges being transported

Archive photograph of shipyard

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Boatyard

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Barges being transported

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Boatyard

Archive photograph of E.C. Jones Barges being transported

Archive photograph of shipyard

Busy commuters walking past Henry Reichhold's One Hour installation 2019

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Check out all our videos, images, podcasts, interviews, workshops and much more.

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Supported by:

Jeffrey Wood at Trinity Buoy Wharf | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Blackwall

London Graving Dock Company

Eel Pie Boatyard | Photo: Ken Dwan and Kat Young

Eel Pie Island

Eel Pie Island Slipways & Eel Pie Boatyard

Greenwich Boatyard

Greenwich

Thamescraft Dry Docking Services, Greenwich Yacht Club & Cory Riverside Energy

B.J. Wood & Son | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Isleworth

B.J. Wood & Son Boatyard

Lots Ait | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Lots Ait

Thames & General Lighterage and John’s Boat Works

Richmond Bridge Boathouses workshop

Richmond

Richmond Bridge Boathouses & William Colley Racing Boats

The Apprentice, South Dock Marina | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Rotherhithe

South Dock Marina

Two boats in a dockyard

Swan Island

Newman’s Shipyard

Archive photograph of the moorings at Tough's boatyard in Teddington in the 1980s

Teddington

Tough's Boatyard

Wapping Police Officer painting a boat

Wapping

Metropolitan Police Marine Workshop